The 2024 Shanghai Global Taste Tour is launched on May 31 at the River Mall shopping center – located in the Pudong New Area in Shanghai – marking the start of this year's exciting global culinary celebration. [Photo/WeChat account: scofcom]

A key event of the ongoing fifth Shanghai Shopping Festival – the 2024 Shanghai Global Taste Tour – kicked off on May 31 and will run in East China's Shanghai to November, showcasing the city's breathtaking international cuisine, landmark delicacies, pulsating and vibrant music and much, much more.

The festival has been a highlight for five consecutive years now, drawing foodies from around the world.

During the opening ceremony, Meituan – a major food delivery company in China – released the Global Cuisine in Shanghai: 2024 Dining Trends Report.

The report highlighted Shanghai's dominance in the national food scene, hosting the highest number of merchants and commercial transactions  each year there.

Shanghai also leads with 66 restaurants listed in the 2024 Black Pearl Restaurant Guide – China's version of the Michelin Guide – 35 percent of which offer international cuisine.

Japanese, Korean, Italian, Thai and French cuisines top the popularity charts – while Malaysian, Russian, African, Turkish and Singaporean cuisines show significant growth.

From May 31 to June 2, a global food market at the River Mall featured diverse culinary delights from nearly 20 countries, offering visitors a taste of tantalizing global flavors right in Shanghai.

The festival will continue with special deals, on-site and online activities, as well as culinary guides to enhance Shanghai's food culture. One of them takes place in August, when the Best 50 Cheese Afternoon Tea Festival will celebrate international cheese culture, while in October the Green Restaurant Week held in the Xintiandi area will promote sustainable dining.

The festival will conclude in November with the release of the annual 100+ Landmark Restaurants List and the Shanghai Taste Annual Restaurant Guide – covering local classics, national flavors and global cuisines.

In addition, Bailian Inc – a large state-owned enterprise in Shanghai and a key partner – will also offer a series of culinary events and promotions throughout the festival, making Shanghai a must-see destination for food lovers.